Ladle stopper rod



March 11 1924."

J. E. SHEAFEER LADLE STOPPER' ROD Filed Sept. 6, 1925 Patented Mar. llll, i224.

JAMES E. SHEABFFER, F BUBIETHAM, PENNSYLVANIA.

LADLE STOPPEZR. B010.

Application filed Qeptember 6, 1923. Serial Ho. 681,233.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, JAMES E. SHEAFFER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Burnham, Mifliin County, Pennsylvania,

have invented certain Improvements in Ladle Stopper Rods, or" which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in stopper rods used to control the flow of fluid metal from the discharge openings of a ladle to allow the metal to flow into ingot molds, or other containers.

The object of the invention is to protect the lower head end of the rod so as to prevent the fluxing of the stopper head, or the burning of the rod.

This object I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

0 Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a stopper rod, illustrating my invention;

Fig. 2 is an external view of the head end of the rod; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofthe pro tecting sleeve. I

Referring to the drawings, 1 is an iron, or steel rod, on which sleeve bricks 2 are threaded. These bricks are provided with the usual joints, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

The lower end of the rod 1 is threaded, as at 3. On this threaded portion is secured the stopper head 4: of graphite, or other refractory material. The stopper head is secured to the threaded portion of the rod by clay, as indicated at 5. This is the common method of making a stopper rod. The joint between the sleeve bricks and the graphite stopper head is susceptible to the effects of the hot metal, which, at times,

al burns ofi' the rod 1, and, at other times, causing a fiuxing of the graphite stopper head, thereby creating an uncontrollable condition in the flow, or discharge, of hot metal from the ladle. By enclosing the joint between the graphite head and the lower sleeve brick 2 with protective sleeve 6, Fig. 3, the ilnxing of the stopper head, or the burning of the rod, is prevented.

This sleeve is secured in position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by fire clay 7, which is allowed to dry with the parts in their respective locations on the wrought iron or steel rod, thereby sealing the stopper head. This protective sleeve bridges the joint between the two parts or the stopper rod and makes a substantial construction, which materially increases the longevity of the stopper rod.

1 claim:

1. The combination of a stopper rod having a supporting rod; a sleeve brick onclosing the rod; a graphite head; and a protecting sleeve extending over the joint between the graphite head and the sleeve brick.

2. The combination in a stopper rod, of a metallic rod; a series of sleeve bricks mounted on the rod; a stopper head of graphite, or other refractory material, secured to the rod and abutting the lowest sleeve brick; and a protecting sleeve of graphite, or other refractory material, bridging the joint between the stopper head and the lowest sleeve brick.

3. The combination in a stopper rod, of a metallic rod; a series of sleeve bricks mounted on the rod; a stopper head of graphite, or other refractory material. secured to the end of the rod and abutting the lowest sleeve brick: a protecting sleeve of graphite, or other refractory material, extending over the joint between the graphite stopper head and the adjoining sleeve brick: a clay body securing said protecting sleeve to the stopper rod. I

JAMES E. SHEAFFER. 

